An email update from the Bella Vista Property Owners Association included the news that the organizations' only stump dump is closed. According to the update, the POA was ordered by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to close the dump immediately.
Mike Taggart, director of maintenance and construction and water, was surprised by the order to close.
"We've run them for years without anyone saying anything," he said. The order was issued because the POA does not have a permit to operate a dump. Taggart said the practice of dumping organic materials has been going on since before his time. Because the POA is a private organization and all the stump dumps are on private property, he didn't realize a permit was needed.
"It's not a landfill where anyone can bring their stuff in," he said.
All the POA stump dumps were for residents and contractors working for residents so they could deposit trees, limbs and leaves cleared from private property.
At the end of 2016, the POA announced the east-side stump dump, located off of Trafalgar Road was full and would be permanently closed. The site was leased, not owned by the POA. No other location was found to replace it.
In July, people living near the Trafalgar Road location started complaining about smoke. Eventually, the ADEQ visited the former dump where an underground fire was burning.
Taggart said he has no way of knowing if the ADEQ checked the west-side stump dump permit because of that fire.
The update offered advice to people who need to dispose of organic materials:
Onsite burning is allowed by the city of Bella Vista if the fire department is informed and there's no burn ban. Contact the fire department at 479 855-3771.
The city of Bentonville accepts limbs and brush only at the compost facility, 2000 NW A Street, Bentonville. The phone number is 479 271-5954. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Republic Waste Management offers yard waste bins at a cost. Contact the company at 800-431-1507.
Benton County Solid Waste District is another resource; visit www.bcswd.com or call 479 795-0751.
The closest landfill is Eco Vista Landfill, 18633 Stutts Road, Springdale. The phone number is 479 306-7875.
General News on 09/19/2018